Palin made her first comments Saturday since the ethics report was released.

PITTSBURGH, Pennsylvania (CNN) - Sarah Palin on Saturday denied abusing her power or violating state law in the dismissal of Alaska’s Public Safety Commissioner Walt Monegan, putting her at odds with the findings of a state ethics report that determined she did abuse her power as governor.

As the Republican vice presidential nominee departed her Pittsburgh hotel on Saturday morning, a reporter asked Palin if she abused her power in firing Monegan, which was the conclusion of the state investigator's report released late Friday.

“No, and if you read the read the report you will see that there was nothing unlawful or unethical about replacing a cabinet member," Palin responded before boarding her campaign bus. "You got to read the report, sir."

Palin had the authority to fire Monegan, but the report by former Anchorage prosecutor Stephen Branchflower concluded that she abused her power as Alaska's governor and violated state ethics law by trying to get her ex-brother-in-law, Mike Wooten, fired from the state police.

"Gov. Palin knowingly permitted a situation to continue where impermissible pressure was placed on several subordinates in order to advance a personal agenda," the report states.

soundoff(996 Responses)

Lynn

Sure, she did. I think if she IS smart, she should quit to save herself and McCain. As my view of Palin, she is not American first, she IS her family and herself first. And maybe trying to separate Alaska from United States.

October 11, 2008 12:45 pm at 12:45 pm |

Colleen

ooh Sarah..your ethics are showing....!

October 11, 2008 12:46 pm at 12:46 pm |

Winnie in Montana

Maybe she could try accepting responsibility for her actions. That might be the right, truthful and Christian thing to do.

October 11, 2008 12:46 pm at 12:46 pm |

R. Planet

Look kids! A falling star!

October 11, 2008 12:47 pm at 12:47 pm |

the Nightingale Sings in Berkley Square

what a governor misuse power? Like would be like a Senator lying or a President not leveling. Unheard of in America.

Doesn't every president, governor and congress people misuse power?

I am shocked.

October 11, 2008 12:47 pm at 12:47 pm |

The Facts

She should know the difference between an ethical violation and a legal violation; they are distinct issues. The abuse of power was not legally wrong, but violates an ethical standard that shows a lack of judgement (her judgement is further diminished by not knowing the difference between these terms). This is further evidence (both her past actions and current language) that she is not fit for this office.

Ms. Palin, I've read the report. Perhaps you didn't understand the findings. Perhaps you are a liar. Either way, you are not the type of person the American people want holding the highest office in the land.

October 11, 2008 12:47 pm at 12:47 pm |

Melly

PALIN is a proven LIER.

DOES ANYONE BELIEVE HER ANYMORE?

NOT ME

October 11, 2008 12:48 pm at 12:48 pm |

Lin lin

Actually i have to admit- Palin is as calculating-if not more that McCain !!!!

October 11, 2008 12:49 pm at 12:49 pm |

connie, texas

Media, please report that the man who conducted the so-called "trooper-gate" investigation, Alaskan Democrat Hollis French, has been photographed and quoted as an Obama campaign supporter.

connie, Texas

October 11, 2008 12:50 pm at 12:50 pm |

Dal CA

If she is a VP and she will do the same things as she did in Alaska. This would be the same thing what the current VP is doing. Looks like a normal REPUB techniuqes

October 11, 2008 12:51 pm at 12:51 pm |

Bucky

If you read the report you will see that Todd Palin was obsessed with the matter and used the government under Sarah Palin to meet his mission. He abused the government over, and over and even had his own phone and seat in the executive office. This means Sarah did not do her job correctly by allowing him access to anything he wantes and that means she abused her powers.This was all about Palins first not country or state first.It would have taken a real reformer to do the right thing and tell Todd he was not allowed to have full access to government documents. A real Maverick would have stopped Todd in his tracks and not abused the government like Sarah has ever since she was in Wasilla. Her word is about as good as Hate Speech Express lies. No credibility whatsoever should be given to abusers

October 11, 2008 12:52 pm at 12:52 pm |

KMAN

One has to have credibility for their statements to be given merit ... Palin woefully lacks credibility. She is without a doubt in most intelligent and informed people’s minds simply an amoral empty skirt.

October 11, 2008 12:53 pm at 12:53 pm |

S. Boatman

Thank You Sarah Palin! You Are Such A Drag On The Republican Ticket That Mccain Has No Chance Of Winning The White House! For That I Thank You!

October 11, 2008 12:53 pm at 12:53 pm |

Dr. Cross

Sarah Palin's denial of any wrong doing in the firing of Mr. Walt Monegan IS kinda like O.J. Simpson saying ..." I didn't do it!!" &"I didn't get a fair trial!"

Is Mrs. Palin becomming a minus for the McCain campaign?

...YOU BETCHA!!!

October 11, 2008 12:54 pm at 12:54 pm |

Steve -LA

Of COURSE she denies abusing power.....it was proven by the report she and her people generated and released the day before. (rolling eyes)

Obama-Biden '08

October 11, 2008 12:55 pm at 12:55 pm |

sick and tired

Do us all a favor and just go back to Alaska. There's no truth in you. You're an awful mother and you've lied about being a Christian. There is no true Christian on earth that would say the things you say or leave your family as you have done.

Just do us all a favor and "GO HOME"

October 11, 2008 12:55 pm at 12:55 pm |

SwingVote2008

Okay...so i can only believe that she thinks people do not read because she does not read..If this was a Bipartisan finding and your husband and you had issues with the trooper prior to your decision it was a contributing factor for your decision. Why is your husband using the power of YOUR office anyway. I can not bring my wife to work and have her start giving orders to my staff. You broke a law now deal with the consequences.

October 11, 2008 12:56 pm at 12:56 pm |

Jack from California

Deny and Lie, those seem to be what Sarah does best.

October 11, 2008 12:56 pm at 12:56 pm |

Sue in Alabama

The guilty Always "Deny"...

Please, go home to Alaska!

Obama/Biden '08-'12

October 11, 2008 12:56 pm at 12:56 pm |

cecil

Gov. Palin And Her Hoodlum Pals. The Proof.........

The "Probe" Found You Guilty!

Maybe Your "AIP" Pals Will Protest With A Flag Burning Rally!

October 11, 2008 12:56 pm at 12:56 pm |

Martha Stewart

She's going away for a long time

October 11, 2008 12:57 pm at 12:57 pm |

Get it right

Do they know the difference between a legal and ethical violation? If not, she is not fit for this VP position.

October 11, 2008 12:57 pm at 12:57 pm |

marty from Indiana

Shame on her. Political leaders are in a position of public trust. They are to represent us not abuse their power or to use it for a personal vendette. She should resign her position as Governor and also step down as vp nominee. If she were at all honorable she would do this.

October 11, 2008 12:57 pm at 12:57 pm |

And still she lies

We did read the report and you are, once again, caught lying. Does she ever tell the truth about anything? Ever?